Powelliphanta superba harveyi, known as one of the amber snails, is a subspecies of large, carnivorous land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.

Distribution

This subspecies is endemic to the north west of the South Island of New Zealand around the Heaphy Track area.

Shell description

Powelliphanta superba harveyi is a large land snail with conspicuous broad axial streaks in reddish-brown upon a yellowish-brown ground. The parietal callus is brown and sparsely but distinctly granulated. The shape differs from that of the typical Powelliphanta superba sp in that the spire is almost flat with the sutural area (the junction between the whorls) deeply sunken.

The shell diameter is up to 64 mm, and height up to 31 mm.

Conservation status

Powelliphanta superba harveyi is classified by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as being Nationally Endangered.

References

• Powell A. W. B., New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
• New Zealand Department of Conservation Threatened Species Classification